Weeds are not only unsightly, but they can also harm other nearby plants and flowers and can quickly consume even the best tended gardens. Some gardeners prefer to remove weeds by hand, but this process is time consuming and physically demanding work.
Some gardeners prefer to use weed killers which are a much more efficient way to rid your garden of common weeds as well as the more invasive ones. If you fall into this category, then this is the guide for you.
We’ve taken a good look at the best weed killers available and have tested each of them to find our favourite. Keep reading and learn which products will banish garden weeds for good.
Best Weed Killer Reviews
Resolva 24H Weed Killer
Resolva 24H weed killer takes our top spot because it’s the best and fastest acting weed killer available to buy in the UK.
Part of the winning formula contains an active ingredient that is quickly absorbed by any weed, starting the destruction process immediately. Most importantly it kills weeds and their roots, preventing them from growing back.
As with some ‘ready to pump’ weed killers, some users complain that the spray nozzle isn’t user-friendly enough. We didn’t encounter any issues and found it straightforward to use. We wouldn’t let this put you off from buying this great weed killer.
If you’re looking for the best and fastest weed killer available, Resolva 24H should be your choice.
Roundup Fast Action Weed Killer
Roundup produce the bestselling weed killers in existence. Everyone is familiar with the brand which is why most people go straight to this product.
Its also a very good weed killer so its popularity is warranted.
The main difference between Roundup Fast Action and Resolva 24H is that this weed killer takes a little longer to work at around 48 hours instead of 24.
Providing you have a little patience, there’s not a significant difference in the price or performance of these two products. We found that the design of the Roundup Pump N Go pressure sprayer feels better to use due to its coiled pipe mechanism. This makes it the easiest to use of all the weed killers we tested.
If you’re looking for a bestselling, top performing weed killer that’s incredibly easy to use; Roundup is the weed killer for you.
Vitax SBK Brushwood Tough Weed Killer
Sometimes your garden needs a heavy duty weed killer; and the Vitax SBK Weed Killer is exactly that.
This lawn weed killer is designed to kill brambles, nettles, thistles, dock, woodland weeds, hardwood saplings and even tree stumps. This industrial strength weed killer truly is all your garden will ever need.
The best feature of this weed killer is that it won’t harm or kill your grass, removing weeds while prot4cting your lawn. This alone makes it a product which you should always have to hand.
As you would expect it’s quite a potent formula and one of the strongest weed killers there is. We suggest reading the instructions to avoid any mishaps and to ensure safety for you and your garden.
If you’re facing a garden overgrown with weeds, Vitax’s strength makes this the best weed killer for you.
Weedol Lawn Weed Killer – Best Weed Killer For Lawns
Killing weeds in your garden needn’t be difficult. You simply need a weed killer that does the job quickly and doesn’t make a mess.
Weedol Lawn Weed Killer is exactly that. Its formula kills weeds without harming your lawn and takes only 5 minutes to apply.
It isn’t the best product for use in flower beds depending on what you’re growing in them, but it is perfect for use on all grassed areas.
If you need to tidy up your lawn and get rid of those annoying weeds, look no further than Weedol.
Neudorff Superfast Weed Killer
Our final weed killer is made by a company called Neudorff and is one of the lesser known products in our review.
We’ve included it because it’s a fantastic high strength weed killer that begins to work in as little as an hour. It’s also designed to kill some of the toughest weeds there are such as goutweed, field horsetail, moss and algae.
Another plus is that it is safe for bees and other insects due to low levels of toxicity.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly weed killer to tackle those problematic weeds, Neudorff is the product for you.
Weed Killer Buying Guide
Not all weed killers are the same. Some are designed to work on a specific species of weed whereas some are considered to be more of a general purpose weed killer. There are even differences in how each product neutralises weeds as well as a vast difference in the ingredients used to complete the task.
In this guide, we go into detail surrounding the different types of product available, how to use them and how they work as well as whether there are any safety concerns you’ll want to keep in mind. With this info, you will be able to find and buy the best weed killer for your garden.
How Do Weed Killers Work?
Each weed killer falls into a category and will help you to identify how they work. Some (systemic) weed killers are absorbed into the plant and travel down into the roots, effectively killing the weed from the inside.
Other (residual) weed killers are applied to the soil which then prevent species of weeds from germinating and ever appearing.
Contact weed killers are a type of herbicide that kill weeds on contact. Unfortunately, this type of product will often kill other species of plant too so should only be used in certain scenarios.
And selective weed killers can be applied in larger quantities (lawns) as they’re only effective on broadleaf weeds and are much safer for your garden.
Each product works in a very specific way to halt the growth of weeds. These methods are detailed below:
Preventing Photosynthesis
All plants need light to survive and produce food, a process known as photosynthesis. Some weed killers work by limiting the plants ability to photosynthesise. If a plant can’t produce food and energy, it essentially starves to death.
Preventing Protein Production
Like all living creatures the production of protein is an important element of plant growth and overall health. Some weed killers prevent a plant from being able to produce these necessary proteins which eventually causes the plant to die. Glyphosate, the active ingredient and chemical you’ll find in Roundup weed killer works in this way.
Manipulating Hormones
Plants have hormones too, and these chemical hormones are linked to natural growth. Some weed killers contain plant hormones, some natural and some synthetic such as 2,4-D (Trimec). When these products are applied to the plant, the hormone is absorbed and confuses the plant’s own growth system. This leads to growth deformities before eventual death.
Additional Information
It’s important to remember that different types of weed killer target different types of plant. Some are designed to kill only broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, whereas others might target grasses.
As mentioned, some target all types of plant. For pet owners out there, there is no such thing as a “dog-friendly weed killer”. You will need to allow the product to dry completely before allowing your dog anywhere near the application site. Finally, always read the label for safety information and application instructions. Strong weed killers are more effective but can be more dangerous.
Types of Weed Killers
Selective weed killers are usually safe for application on lawns and will only target specific types of plant. Non-selective weed killers will kill any plant they come into contact with.
Systemic weed killers are slower to work than others but can kill even the most resistant plants like brambles and briars. Note that systemic weed killers are sometimes called industrial weed killers. Post-emergence weed killers are designed to be applied to the weed after sprouting, while pre-emergence weed killers (also known as residual) are applied to soil before growth begins.
There are also some products on the market referred to as “natural” weed killers. Corn gluten is one ingredient which you’ll find used in some selective, pre-emergent weed killers. Corn naturally secretes a chemical that kills other nearby plants. That chemical is found in significant concentrations in corn gluten. However, it is generally not effective against common lawn grasses which is what makes it a great option for pre-emergent weed control in lawns.
The last type is an industrial weed killer also known as “soil sterilisers”. These products are uncommon and are rarely sold in the UK. If you do come across these products, we suggest you steer clear. They are designed to kill everything in the area and will remain in soil for several years. These chemicals can also easily find their way into nearby water courses which can devastate any water-based ecosystem.
If your weed killer damages your lawn, you can repair it by sowing grass seeds in the affected areas. We’ve tested the best grass seed in the UK in our guide.
General Weed Control
Prevention Is the Best Cure
Weeds are annoying at best and harmful at worst. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep on top of their growth to prevent total colonisation of your garden. This is a continuous process so consider opting for a weed killer that prevents them from ever appearing in the first place.
This process is the same for moss too. Moss growth can quickly make a lawn look untidy and prevent it from growing properly. That is why it is important to use a moss killer that will protect your lawn.
Consider Mulching
Spreading a thick layer of organic mulch can limit the growth of weeds. Doing so helps soil retain moisture as well as smothers small weeds. Decomposed mulch will also add nutrients to the soil and prevent sunlight from reaching the weeds.
Use a Thick Weed Control Fabric
Weed control fabric can prevent weeds from growing. This is a product that can be effectively used under patios, paths, walkways and garden decking. Once laid, these fabrics prevent weeds from growing through. Cost effective and easy to use.
Don’t Leave Soil Unplanted
Weeds can thrive in open spaces where nothing is growing as they have less competition for nutrients. Plant your flowers and vegetables close together to prevent weeds from growing in gaps and make sure all soiled area is planted.
Fertilise Soil Regularly
Fertilising your garden will keep it healthy and increase the strength of your plants and flowers. This will make it much harder for invasive weeds to take hold as there’ll be a dense root system preventing them from germinating properly.
We’ve tested a variety of grass lawn feeds and have identified the best products. We suggest buying the one most suited to your needs and regularly feeding your lawn for the best results.
Final Verdict
The type of weed killer you need is down to the type of garden you have. We’ve tested the best from each category, so simply choose based on your preferences and requirements.
If in doubt, our top recommendation from Resolva will serve you well and is the weed killer we would recommend for most gardeners.